English spellings/Catalogs/L: Difference between revisions

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{{subpages}}
{{:English_spellings/Catalogs/Masterlist}}
{{:English_spellings/Catalogs/Masterlist}}


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'''lábyrinth''' *lábrinth
'''lábyrinth''' *lábrinth
'''lachrymôse''' *lacrimôse


'''lackadâisical
'''lackadâisical


'''lácklustre''' ''adjective'' one word  
'''lácklustre'''/-'''er''' ''adjective'' one word  


'''lácquer''' *lácker
'''lácquer''' *lácker
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'''lâdies''' ''women''
'''lâdies''' ''women''
'''lâdle'''


'''làger''' ''beer'' hard '''g''', cf. soft '''g''' in '''làrger''' ''bigger''
'''làger''' ''beer'' hard '''g''', cf. soft '''g''' in '''làrger''' ''bigger''
'''làh-dì-dàh'''


'''lâid''' ''egg, table, trap'' *lâyed
'''lâid''' ''egg, table, trap'' *lâyed
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'''lambást''' or '''lambâste
'''lambást''' or '''lambâste
'''lâme'''
'''lámè''' (may be written French-style '''''lamé''''')


'''lamént
'''lamént
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'''Lámplugh''' *Lámplə
'''Lámplugh''' *Lámplə
'''LÁN''' ''local area network
'''lándscape


'''lâne''' ''road'' = '''lâin''' ''lie'' = '''Lâne''', '''Lâine''' ''persons''
'''lâne''' ''road'' = '''lâin''' ''lie'' = '''Lâne''', '''Lâine''' ''persons''
'''lánguage''' *láng-gwij


'''lánguorous''' -'''uorou'''-: -ərə-
'''lánguorous''' -'''uorou'''-: -ərə-
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'''lápdog''' one word  
'''lápdog''' one word  
'''Láplánd'''


'''lápse''' ''negative'' = '''láps''' ''lap
'''lápse''' ''negative'' = '''láps''' ''lap


'''largésse''' or AmE '''largéss  
'''largésse''' BrE; AmE can be '''largéss''' *larzhéss or = '''làrge S'''


'''làrva''' ''insect'' BrE = '''làva''' ''volcano
'''làrva''' ''insect'' BrE = '''làva''' ''volcano  


'''laságna''' *ləzánya, '''laságnê''' *ləzányi
'''laságna''' *ləzánya, '''laságnê''' *ləzányi
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'''lāst
'''lāst


'''Làs Vègas''': [[British English|BrE]] usually *Lós Vègas because in [[American English|AmE]] '''Làs''' = '''Lós''', and/or by analogy with '''Lós Ángeles'''; some British speakers say '''Lás''', but this produces the rather unfortunate "'''láss Vègas'''"
'''Làs Vègas''': [[British English|BrE]] usually *Lós Vègas because in [[American English|AmE]] '''Làs''' = '''Lós''', and/or by analogy with '''Lós Ángeles'''; some British speakers say '''Lás''', as if "'''láss Vègas'''"


'''lâter
'''lâter''', cf. '''látter


'''Látin
'''Látin
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'''látter
'''látter
'''láttice''' cf. '''léttuce


'''låud''' ''praise'' = BrE '''lŏrd''' ''master''
'''låud''' ''praise'' = BrE '''lŏrd''' ''master''
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'''laundrétte
'''laundrétte


'''laureate''' *lóriət
'''Låura
 
'''låureate''' BrE *lóriət
 
'''låurel''' BrE *lórrel
 
'''Låuren''' BrE Ló-
 
'''Låurence''' = '''Låwrence''', BrE Ló-


'''laurel''' *lórrel
'''Laurie''' = '''lórry''', BrE '''ó''', AmE '''å'''


'''làva''' ''volcano'' BrE = '''làrva''' ''insect
'''làva''' ''volcano'' BrE = '''làrva''' ''insect


'''lávish''' cf. '''slâvish
'''lávish''', cf. '''slâvish


'''låw''' ''legal'' = BrE '''lŏre''' ''folk'': *lŏ; many [[French language|Francophones]] cannot distinguish this word, instead pronouncing it like '''lôw''' *ləù
'''låw''' ''legal'' = BrE '''lŏre''' ''folk'': *lŏ; many [[French language|Francophones]] cannot distinguish this word, instead pronouncing it like '''lôw''' *ləù


'''Lawrence''', or '''Laurence''' as given name, '''w''' more common, Ló-
'''Låwrence''' = '''Låurence''' as a boy's given name; the former, with '''w''',  is also a family name and as a given name is more common ('''u''' version is a girl's given name in French), BrE Ló-


'''låwyer''' *lŏyer
'''låwyer''' *lŏyer


'''lây''' ''table, egg, snooker'' is a verb in its own right, past and past participle both '''lâid''', but do not use '''lây''' instead of '''lîe''' ''down'' (past '''lây''', past participle '''lâin''')
'''láx''' ''neglect'' = '''lácks''' ''lack
 
'''láxative
 
'''lây''' ''table, egg, snooker'' is a verb in its own right, past and past participle both '''lâid'''; even native speakers confuse '''lây''' with '''lîe''' ''down'' (past '''lây''', past participle '''lâin'''): e.g. "laying low" for '''lŷing lôw'''


'''lâybŷ
'''lâybŷ
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'''léad''' ''metal'' = '''léd''' ''took'', past of '''lêad''', cf. '''réad''', past of '''rêad
'''léad''' ''metal'' = '''léd''' ''took'', past of '''lêad''', cf. '''réad''', past of '''rêad
'''Léad Bélly''' is pronounced with the stress on the first word, as if it were one word, *Léadbelly


'''lêader''' ''lead'' = '''lìêder''' ''songs
'''lêader''' ''lead'' = '''lìêder''' ''songs
'''Léadsom'''


'''lêaf''', singular of '''lêaves''' ''tree
'''lêaf''', singular of '''lêaves''' ''tree
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'''lêague''' *lêeg  
'''lêague''' *lêeg  
'''Léamington Spà''' begins like '''lémming


'''lêan
'''lêan
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'''lëarned''' as an attributive adjective gains a syllable: '''a''' *lëarníd '''mán  
'''lëarned''' as an attributive adjective gains a syllable: '''a''' *lëarníd '''mán  


'''lêast''' ''less'' cf. '''lést''' ''in case
'''lêast''' ''less'', cf. '''lést''' ''in case


'''lêaves''' ''leave, leaf''—plural of '''lêaf''' ''tree'' and -'''s''' form of the verb '''lêave''' ''go
'''lêaves''' ''leave, leaf''—plural of '''lêaf''' ''tree'' and -'''s''' form of the verb '''lêave''' ''go
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'''Lébanon''' -ənən; AmE -'''ón
'''Lébanon''' -ənən; AmE -'''ón


'''léd''' ''guided'' = '''léad''' ''metal'' ('''[[Led Zeppelin|Léd Zéppelin]]''' is so spelt as to avoid mispronunciation)
'''léd''' ''guided'' (past of '''lêad''') = '''léad''' ''metal'' ('''[[Led Zeppelin|Léd Zéppelin]]''' is so spelt as to avoid mispronunciation)
 
'''lêde''', AmE alternative spelling of '''lêad''' ''introduction'', intended to avoid confusion with '''léad''' ''metal


'''lêde''' ''introduction'', AmE journalistic jargon: alternative spelling, used only in this sense, of '''lêad''', to avoid even momentary confusion with '''léad''' ''metal
'''lédger''' makes a minimal pair with BrE '''léisure'''


'''lée''' ''shelter'' = '''Lêe''' = '''Lêigh''' = '''Lêa''' ''persons'' = '''lêa''' ''grass''
'''lée''' ''shelter'' = '''Lêe''' = '''Lêigh''' = '''Lêa''' ''persons'' = '''lêa''' ''grass''


'''lêes''' ''dregs'' cf. '''lêase''' ''contract'', unvoiced '''s''': [[minimal pair]]
'''lêes''' ''dregs'', cf. '''lêase''' ''contract'', unvoiced '''s''': [[minimal pair]]


'''leêch''' ''worm, sail'' = '''lêach''' ''percolate'' = '''Lêach''' = '''Leêch''' ''persons
'''leêch''' ''worm, sail'' = '''lêach''' ''percolate'' = '''Lêach''' = '''Leêch''' ''persons
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'''lêgal
'''lêgal


'''légend''' cf. '''lédge
'''légend''', cf. '''lédge


'''législâtive''' AmE; BrE '''législatíve
'''législâtive''' AmE; BrE '''législatíve
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'''législatûre
'''législatûre
'''legítimacy'''


'''Léicester''' ''city'' = '''Léster''' ''person''; each forms a [[minimal pair|minimal trio]] with '''Léinster''' and '''Léominster'''
'''Léicester''' ''city'' = '''Léster''' ''person''; each forms a [[minimal pair|minimal trio]] with '''Léinster''' and '''Léominster'''
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'''Leîpzig
'''Leîpzig


'''léisure''' BrE *lézher; AmE '''lêisure''' *lêzher; BrE rhyming with '''méasure''', '''pléasure''' and '''tréasure  
'''léisure''' BrE *lézher; AmE '''lêisure''' *lêzher; BrE rhymes with '''méasure''', '''pléasure''' and '''tréasure''', and makes a  minimal pair with '''lédger'''


'''leîtmotìf''' has the anglicised [[spelling pronunciation]], while the alternative '''leîtmotìv''' resembles the original [[German language|German]]
'''leîtmotìf''' has the anglicised [[spelling pronunciation]], while the alternative '''leîtmotìv''' resembles the original [[German language|German]]
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'''Léonard''' *Lénnərd = '''Lénnard
'''Léonard''' *Lénnərd = '''Lénnard


'''léopard''' ''animal'' = '''Léppard''' ''person'' *lépərd, cf. '''Léonard''', '''jéopardy''', also silent '''o
'''léopard''' ''animal'' = '''Léppard''' ''Def'' *lépərd (minimal pair with '''léper'''), cf. '''Léonard''', '''jéopardy''', also silent '''o'''


'''lêotàrd''' *lêətàrd
'''lêotàrd''' *lêətàrd


'''léper''' *lépər, rhyming with '''pépper
'''léper''' *lépər, rhyming with '''pépper''', minimal pair with '''léopard'''


'''léprechåun''' *léprekåun
'''léprechåun''' *léprekåun
'''Lërner and Lôewe''' sounds like '''lëarner and lôw'''


'''Lerŏy''' or '''Lêroy''', with variant spellings ('''R''', -'''oi'''...)
'''Lerŏy''' or '''Lêroy''', with variant spellings ('''R''', -'''oi'''...)


'''Lés''' AmE = '''léss''', BrE *Léz
'''Lés''' AmE = '''léss''', BrE *Léz
'''lésbian'''
'''Lésbós'''
'''''lèse-majesté''''' *lâys-mázhestay


'''Lésley''' ''female'' = '''Léslie''' ''male''
'''Lésley''' ''female'' = '''Léslie''' ''male''
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'''léssen''' ''less'' = '''lésson''' ''school''
'''léssen''' ''less'' = '''lésson''' ''school''


'''lést''' ''in case'' cf. '''lêast''' ''less''
'''lést''' ''in case'', cf. '''lêast''' ''less''


'''lêthal
'''lêthal


'''léts''' ''let'' = '''lét’s''' ''let us''
'''léts''' ''allows'' = '''lét's''' ''suggestion''


'''léttuce''' *léttis
'''léttuce''' *léttis = '''Léttice''', cf. '''láttice''' ([[minimal pair]])


'''Levánt
'''Levánt
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'''lévee''' ''dam'' = '''lévy''' ''tax''
'''lévee''' ''dam'' = '''lévy''' ''tax''


'''lêver''' BrE; AmE '''léver
'''lêver''' BrE (= '''lêaver''' ''leave''); some AmE '''léver


'''lêverage''' BrE; AmE '''léverage''' cf. '''béverage''' in both
'''lêverage''' BrE; AmE '''léverage''', cf. '''béverage''' in both


'''Lêvi
'''Lêvî


'''Lévis''' cf. '''Lêavis
'''Lévís''', cf. '''Lêavis


'''lévy''' ''tax'' = '''lévee''' ''dam''
'''lévy''' ''tax'' = '''lévee''' ''dam''
'''Lêvy''', '''Lévy''' ''persons


'''Leŵ''' ''rare'' = '''Loû''' ''normal'' (shortenings of '''Leŵis''')
'''Leŵ''' ''rare'' = '''Loû''' ''normal'' (shortenings of '''Leŵis''')


'''leŵd''' cf. '''feûd
'''leŵd''' rhymes with '''rûde''' and '''feûd


'''Leŵis''' ''person'', ''Scotland'' *Loôwis = '''Leŵes''' ''England''
'''Leŵis''' ''person'', ''Scotland'' *Loôwis = '''Leŵes''' ''England''
'''léxicon''' rhymes with '''Méxican'''
'''Lèyland
'''Leylándìî


'''Lhàsa
'''Lhàsa
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'''liâisón''' *lì-âizón
'''liâisón''' *lì-âizón


'''lîar''' ''false'' = '''lŷre''' ''music
'''lîar''' ''false'' = '''lŷre''' ''music'', cf. '''lîe


'''Líb Dém
'''Líb Dém
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'''librãrian
'''librãrian


'''Líbya
'''Líbya''', cf. '''Sýria


'''lîcence''' BrE only
'''lîcence''' BrE noun only = '''lîcense'''
'''lîcensed''' *lîcenced


'''lîcense''' AmE; can be verb in BrE
'''lîcensêe''' *lîcencee


'''lîcensêe''' *lîcencee
'''lîcensure
 
'''licéntiate''' -shət
 
'''licéntious''' -shəss


'''lîchen''' ''plant'' = '''lîken''' ''compare''
'''lîchen''' ''plant'' = '''lîken''' ''compare''
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'''lícker''' ''lick'' = '''líquor''' ''drink
'''lícker''' ''lick'' = '''líquor''' ''drink


'''lícoríce''', '''líquoríce''' *líckerish
'''lícoríce''' AmE, '''líquoríce''' BrE *líckerish
 
'''líd''' = '''Lýdd'''
 
'''Lídl''' = '''Líddle''' = '''Líddell''' ''Alice''
 
'''lîdo''', '''lìdo


'''lîe''' ''untrue'' (past and past participle: '''lîed'''), ''down'' (past '''lây''', past participle '''lâin'''), cf. '''lŷing''', present participle and gerund of both; and '''lây''' ''table, egg, snooker'' as a verb in its own right, past and past participle both '''lâid''': the usual mistake is '''lây''' instead of '''lîe
'''lîe''' ''untrue'' (past and past participle: '''lîed'''), ''down'' (past '''lây''', past participle '''lâin'''), cf. '''lŷing''', present participle and gerund of both; and '''lây''' ''table, egg, snooker'' as a verb in its own right, past and past participle both '''lâid''': the usual mistake is '''lây''' instead of '''lîe''' = '''lŷe''' ''chemical''


'''Líechtensteîn''' or Lísh-
'''Líechtensteîn''' Lík-, Lísh- or Lích- ''country'', cf. '''Líchtensteîn''' Lík- ''Roy''


'''lîed''' ''untruth
'''lîed''' ''untruth
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'''lieû''' ''in'' = '''loô''' ''toilet'' = '''Loû''' ''person''
'''lieû''' ''in'' = '''loô''' ''toilet'' = '''Loû''' ''person''


'''lieuténant''' AmE loût-, BrE léft- or loût-
'''lieuténant''' AmE loôt-, BrE léft- or loôt-
 
'''lîfelong''' one word


'''lîfestyle''' one word
'''lîfestyle''' one word
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'''lígament
'''lígament
'''Lígeti''': hard '''g''', [[schwa]]


'''lîght''' = '''lîte''', humorous or commercial spelling thereof
'''lîght''' = '''lîte''', humorous or commercial spelling thereof
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'''Lilóngwè
'''Lilóngwè
'''líly''' = '''Lýly'''


'''líly-lívered
'''líly-lívered
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'''límb''' *lím, cf. '''clîmb''' ''up'' = '''clîme''' ''climate''
'''límb''' *lím, cf. '''clîmb''' ''up'' = '''clîme''' ''climate''


'''lîme''' cf. '''Lŷme Rêgis
'''lîme''', cf. '''Lŷme Rêgis


'''límô
'''límô''' *límmo


'''limousìne''' *limmazêen
'''limousìne''' *limmazêen
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'''límp
'''límp


'''línchpín''' cf. '''lýnch
'''línchpín''', cf. '''lýnch


'''Líncoln''' *Língkən
'''Líncoln''' *Língkən, *Linkən


'''Líndsay''' *Línzy = '''Líndsey''' ''Lincolnshire
'''Líndsay''' = '''Línzey''' = '''Líndsey''' ''Lincolnshire


'''lîne''' = '''Leŷne
'''lîne''' = '''Leŷne


'''línêage''' *línêíj, cf. '''lîne
'''línêage''' *línêíj, *línny-ij, cf. '''lîne


'''línêar'''
'''línêar'''
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'''lingerie''' BrE *lánzhery, AmE *lànjə-rèy
'''lingerie''' BrE *lánzhery, AmE *lànjə-rèy


'''línk''' cf. '''lýnx
'''línk''', cf. '''lýnx''', '''Líncs'''


'''Línux'''  
'''Línux'''  
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'''líp-rêad  
'''líp-rêad  


'''líquefy''' cf. '''líquid''', '''líquidate
'''líquefy''', cf. '''líquid''', '''líquidate


'''liqueûr''' ''chocolate'' *licûre
'''liqueûr''' ''chocolate'' *licûre
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'''líquor''' ''whisky''  = '''lícker''' ''lick
'''líquor''' ''whisky''  = '''lícker''' ''lick


'''líquoríce''', '''lícoríce''' *líckerish
'''líquoríce''' BrE, '''lícoríce''' AmE *líckerish
 
<nowiki>*</nowiki>lírrick (cf. '''límerick''') '''lýric'''


'''Lísbon''' ''Portugal'' *Lízbən = BrE '''Lísburn''' ''Ireland''', rhymes with '''Brísbane
'''Lísbon''' ''Portugal'' *Lízbən = BrE '''Lísburn''' ''Ireland''', rhymes with '''Brísbane
'''Liskeârd'''


'''líst''' ''column, sway'' = '''Líszt''' ''Franz''
'''líst''' ''column, sway'' = '''Líszt''' ''Franz''
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'''líve''' ''verb
'''líve''' ''verb


'''lîve''' ''adjective'' cf. '''lîfe''' ''noun
'''lîve''' ''adjective'', cf. '''lîfe''' ''noun
 
'''líver''' ''organ''


'''Líverpool''' cf. '''lîver bïrd
'''lîver bïrd


'''Liverpúdlian
'''Líverpoôl''', cf. '''poôl'''


'''lîvelihood
'''Liverpúdlian''' *Líver-púddlian, cf. '''púddle'''
 
'''lîvelihoòd


'''lîvely
'''lîvely
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'''llàma''' ''animal'' = '''làma''' ''Buddhism''
'''llàma''' ''animal'' = '''làma''' ''Buddhism''


'''Llanélli''': Welsh names featuring, very often initially, the [[voiceless alveolar fricative]], [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]] [{{IPA|ɬ}}], written '''Ll'''-, '''ll'''-, are pronounced by many non-Welsh speakers with the substitute 'thl-', so: *Thlanéthly—though this does not apply to the very common...
'''Llandudno''' -dídno; see following


'''Llŏyd''' *Lŏyd
'''Llanélli''': Welsh names featuring, very often initially, the [[voiceless alveolar fricative]], [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]] [{{IPA|ɬ}}], written '''Ll'''-, '''ll'''-, are pronounced by many non-Welsh speakers with the substitute 'thl-', so: *Thlanéthly—though this does not apply to the very common '''Llŏyd''' *Lŏyd (nor to '''Llèyton''', a variant of '''Lèyton''')
 
'''Llŏyds''' ''bank'' = '''Llŏyd's''' ''insurance'' *Lŏydz
 
'''lôad''' ''heavy, fill'' = '''lôde''' ''rock''


'''lôan''' ''lend'' = '''lône''' ''alone''
'''lôan''' ''lend'' = '''lône''' ''alone''
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'''lôathsome''' voiced '''th''', no middle 'e'
'''lôathsome''' voiced '''th''', no middle 'e'
'''lóbbyist''' *lóbbiest


'''lóch''' Scottish '''ch''', like Arabic 'kh', phonetic symbol χ; Irish ones are '''lóugh''', same pronunciation; cf. '''lóck'''
'''lóch''' Scottish '''ch''', like Arabic 'kh', phonetic symbol χ; Irish ones are '''lóugh''', same pronunciation; cf. '''lóck'''
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'''Lóngfellow
'''Lóngfellow


'''loô''' ''toilet'' = '''Loû''' ''person'' = '''lieû''' ''in''
'''loô''' ''toilet'' = '''Loû''' ''person'' = '''lieû''' ''in'' = '''Loôe''' ''Cornwall''


'''loòkalike''' ''noun'' one word  
'''loòkalike''' ''noun'' one word  
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'''lŏre''' ''folk'' BrE =  '''låw''' ''rule''
'''lŏre''' ''folk'' BrE =  '''låw''' ''rule''


'''lórry''' ''transport'' = '''Laurie''' ''person''
'''lorry''' ''transport'' = '''Laurie''' ''person'', AmE '''å''', BrE '''ó'''
 
'''Lós Ángeles''', cf. '''Làs Vègas


'''lose''' ''lost'' *lûze = '''loôs''' ''toilets'', cf. '''loôse''' ''insecure'' *lûce
'''lose''' ''lost'' *lûze = '''loôs''' ''toilets'', cf. '''loôse''' ''insecure'' *lûce
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'''loûche''' -sh
'''loûche''' -sh
'''lòud'''


'''lóugh''' = '''lóch
'''lóugh''' = '''lóch
'''Loúghborough''' *Lúffbərə


'''Loûìs''' silent '''s''' = '''Loûìê''', or (particularly in '''St. Loûís''') = '''Leŵís
'''Loûìs''' silent '''s''' = '''Loûìê''', or (particularly in '''St. Loûís''') = '''Leŵís
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'''Louisiána''' *Loû-êasy-Ánna, one '''n
'''Louisiána''' *Loû-êasy-Ánna, one '''n
'''lòur''' = '''lòwer''' ''frown'', cf, '''lôwer


'''Loûrdes''' ''France'' = '''lûred''' ''lure
'''Loûrdes''' ''France'' = '''lûred''' ''lure


'''lòve''' cf. '''lôathe
'''lòusy'''
 
'''lòut'''
 
'''lòve''', cf. '''lôathe
 
'''lôw''' ''high'' = '''lô''' (archaic) ''look'', cf. '''låw


'''lôw''' cf. '''låw
'''lôwer''' ''low'', cf. '''lòwer''' = '''lòur
 
'''Lûcas


'''lûcre''' *lûker
'''lûcre''' *lûker


'''Lúddite
'''Lúddite
'''Lùfthansa''' *Lùft Hánsa


'''lúggage
'''lúggage
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'''lúmbar''' ''back'' = '''lúmber''' ''wood''
'''lúmbar''' ''back'' = '''lúmber''' ''wood''


'''lúscious''' *lúshous
'''lûrid'''; AmE also '''lürid'''
 
'''lúscious''' *lúshus


'''lúsh
'''lúsh
Line 542: Line 651:
'''Lútyens''' can sound like *Lútchins
'''Lútyens''' can sound like *Lútchins


'''lúvvie''', a satirical British word for an ''actor'' cf. '''lòve''', '''lòvey-dòvey
'''lúvvie''', a satirical British word for an ''actor'', cf. '''lòve''', '''lòvey-dòvey


'''Lúxemboürg
'''Lúxemboürg
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'''Lúxemboürgish''' ''language
'''Lúxemboürgish''' ''language
'''Lúxŏr'''
'''Lvív''' *Ləvív


'''lychêe''' is a more common spelling than '''lî'''-, '''lît'''- and '''litchì
'''lychêe''' is a more common spelling than '''lî'''-, '''lît'''- and '''litchì
'''lŷe''' ''chemical'' = '''lîe''' ''down, untrue


'''lŷing''' from '''lîe
'''lŷing''' from '''lîe
Line 558: Line 673:
'''lýnch''' = '''Lýnch''' ''person'', cf. '''línchpin
'''lýnch''' = '''Lýnch''' ''person'', cf. '''línchpin


'''lýnx''' ''animal'' = '''línks''' ''link''
'''lýnx''' ''animal'' = '''línks''' ''link'' = '''Líncs''' ''Lincolnshire''


'''Lỳón''' ''France'' = '''Lêón''' ''person'', cf. '''lîon''' ''animal''
'''Lỳón''' ''France'' = '''Lêón''' ''person'', cf. '''lîon''' ''animal''
Line 568: Line 683:
'''lýric
'''lýric


'''Lýttelton''' cf. '''líttle
'''Lỳse''' ''Doucet'' = '''lêes'''
 
'''Lysístrata''', '''Lysistràta'''
 
'''Lýttelton''', cf. '''líttle

Latest revision as of 12:05, 5 July 2017

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Use in English
Alphabetical word list
Retroalphabetical list  
Common misspellings  


This page lists pronunciations of English words that begin with L. To see a different letter navigate with the table above. The apostrophe is treated as the last letter of the alphabet, after Z.

For a pronunciation key, click on the blue "Catalogs" link below the article title.[e]

L = él railway

lâbel rhymes with tâble

labŏrious

lâbour BrE; AmE -or, cf. Lâbor Pàrty Australia, etc. and Lâbour Pàrty Britain, etc.

lâbourer BrE; AmE -or-

lábyrinth *lábrinth

lachrymôse *lacrimôse

lackadâisical

lácklustre/-er adjective one word

lácquer *lácker

láddies boys

lâdies women

lâdle

làger beer hard g, cf. soft g in làrger bigger

làh-dì-dàh

lâid egg, table, trap *lâyed

lâin down = lâne traffic

lãir hideout ≈ lâyer covering

lâissèz-fãire has a silent z: *lây-sây-fãir

lâíty rhymes with dèíty

lámb sheep = lám law, thrash

lambást or lambâste

lâme

lámè (may be written French-style lamé)

lamént

lámentable or laméntable

Lampedûsa: Italian has a voiced s, but unvoiced is usual in English

Lámplugh *Lámplə

LÁN local area network

lándscape

lâne road = lâin lie = Lâne, Lâine persons

lánguage *láng-gwij

lánguorous -uorou-: -ərə-

Làos nation = lòuse bug

lápdog one word

Láplánd

lápse negative = láps lap

largésse BrE; AmE can be largéss *larzhéss or = làrge S

làrva insect BrE = làva volcano

laságna *ləzánya, laságnê *ləzányi

lâser -z-; rhymes with râzor

lasso *lassoô

lāst

Làs Vègas: BrE usually *Lós Vègas because in AmE Làs = Lós, and/or by analogy with Lós Ángeles; some British speakers say Lás, as if "láss Vègas"

lâter, cf. látter

Látin

Latìno

làttè

látter

láttice cf. léttuce

låud praise = BrE lŏrd master

låudanum

lāughter rhymes with āfter

laundrétte

Låura

låureate BrE *lóriət

låurel BrE *lórrel

Låuren BrE Ló-

Låurence = Låwrence, BrE Ló-

Laurie = lórry, BrE ó, AmE å

làva volcano BrE = làrva insect

lávish, cf. slâvish

låw legal = BrE lŏre folk: *lŏ; many Francophones cannot distinguish this word, instead pronouncing it like lôw *ləù

Låwrence = Låurence as a boy's given name; the former, with w, is also a family name and as a given name is more common (u version is a girl's given name in French), BrE Ló-

låwyer *lŏyer

láx neglect = lácks lack

láxative

lây table, egg, snooker is a verb in its own right, past and past participle both lâid; even native speakers confuse lây with lîe down (past lây, past participle lâin): e.g. "laying low" for lŷing lôw

lâybŷ

lâyer covering ≈ lãir hideout

lâys = lâze lazy

lâze lazy = lâys table

lâzy

lêa grass = lêe shelter = Lêe = Lêigh persons

lêach percolate = leêch worm, sail = Lêach = Leêch persons

lêad first, guide, write, dog = lêde US journal (optional spelling to distinguish it from léad metal)

léad metal = léd took, past of lêad, cf. réad, past of rêad

Léad Bélly is pronounced with the stress on the first word, as if it were one word, *Léadbelly

lêader lead = lìêder songs

Léadsom

lêaf, singular of lêaves tree

lêak liquid = lêek vegetable

lêague *lêeg

Léamington Spà begins like lémming

lêan

léant lean = lént lend = Lént season

lêap

léapt

lëarn past: lëarned or lëarnt

lëarned as an attributive adjective gains a syllable: a *lëarníd mán

lêast less, cf. lést in case

lêaves leave, leaf—plural of lêaf tree and -s form of the verb lêave go

Lébanon -ənən; AmE -ón

léd guided (past of lêad) = léad metal (Léd Zéppelin is so spelt as to avoid mispronunciation)

lêde, AmE alternative spelling of lêad introduction, intended to avoid confusion with léad metal

lédger makes a minimal pair with BrE léisure

lée shelter = Lêe = Lêigh = Lêa persons = lêa grass

lêes dregs, cf. lêase contract, unvoiced s: minimal pair

leêch worm, sail = lêach percolate = Lêach = Leêch persons

Lêeds city = lêads lead

lêek vegetable = lêak liquid

lêer look = Lêar person

lé Fanu *Léfənu

léft hand, leave

léftie politics = léfty hand = Léfty = Léftie nicknames for lefty

légacy

lêgal

légend, cf. lédge

législâtive AmE; BrE législatíve

législâtor

législatûre

legítimacy

Léicester city = Léster person; each forms a minimal trio with Léinster and Léominster

Léinster Ireland

Leîpzig

léisure BrE *lézher; AmE lêisure *lêzher; BrE rhymes with méasure, pléasure and tréasure, and makes a minimal pair with lédger

leîtmotìf has the anglicised spelling pronunciation, while the alternative leîtmotìv resembles the original German

lêmur animal BrE = Lìma Peru

Lénnox

léns *lénze, plural lénses

lént lend = Lént season = léant lean

Lêô

Léominster *Lémstər, see Léicester

Lêón person = Lỳón France, cf. lîon animal

Léonard *Lénnərd = Lénnard

léopard animal = Léppard Def *lépərd (minimal pair with léper), cf. Léonard, jéopardy, also silent o

lêotàrd *lêətàrd

léper *lépər, rhyming with pépper, minimal pair with léopard

léprechåun *léprekåun

Lërner and Lôewe sounds like lëarner and lôw

Lerŏy or Lêroy, with variant spellings (R, -oi...)

Lés AmE = léss, BrE *Léz

lésbian

Lésbós

lèse-majesté *lâys-mázhestay

Lésley female = Léslie male

Lesotho *Lesûtû

léss more

léssen less = lésson school

lést in case, cf. lêast less

lêthal

léts allows = lét's suggestion

léttuce *léttis = Léttice, cf. láttice (minimal pair)

Levánt

lévee dam = lévy tax

lêver BrE (= lêaver leave); some AmE léver

lêverage BrE; AmE léverage, cf. béverage in both

Lêvî

Lévís, cf. Lêavis

lévy tax = lévee dam

Lêvy, Lévy persons

Leŵ rare = Loû normal (shortenings of Leŵis)

leŵd rhymes with rûde and feûd

Leŵis person, Scotland *Loôwis = Leŵes England

léxicon rhymes with Méxican

Lèyland

Leylándìî

Lhàsa

lîable, three syllables, cf. lîbel, two

liâisón *lì-âizón

lîar false = lŷre music, cf. lîe

Líb Dém

lîbel

lîbelous; BrE can be lîbellous

líberal

libertãrian

líberty

libìdo

Lìbra

lîbrary - first r and a may be silent

librãrian

Líbya, cf. Sýria

lîcence BrE noun only = lîcense

lîcensed *lîcenced

lîcensêe *lîcencee

lîcensure

licéntiate -shət

licéntious -shəss

lîchen plant = lîken compare

lícker lick = líquor drink

lícoríce AmE, líquoríce BrE *líckerish

líd = Lýdd

Lídl = Líddle = Líddell Alice

lîdo, lìdo

lîe untrue (past and past participle: lîed), down (past lây, past participle lâin), cf. lŷing, present participle and gerund of both; and lây table, egg, snooker as a verb in its own right, past and past participle both lâid: the usual mistake is lây instead of lîe = lŷe chemical

Líechtensteîn Lík-, Lísh- or Lích- country, cf. Líchtensteîn Lík- Roy

lîed untruth

lìêd song

lìêder songs = lêader lead

lìen *lêən, or = lêan

lieû in = loô toilet = Loû person

lieuténant AmE loôt-, BrE léft- or loôt-

lîfelong one word

lîfestyle one word

lîfetime one word

lígament

Lígeti: hard g, schwa

lîght = lîte, humorous or commercial spelling thereof

lîghtning flash *lîtning ≈ lîghtening lighten

lîkable or lîkeable

lîkelihood

lîkely

lîke-mînded

Likùd

lîlac

Lilóngwè

líly = Lýly

líly-lívered

límb *lím, cf. clîmb up = clîme climate

lîme, cf. Lŷme Rêgis

límô *límmo

limousìne *limmazêen

límp

línchpín, cf. lýnch

Líncoln *Língkən, *Linkən

Líndsay = Línzey = Líndsey Lincolnshire

lîne = Leŷne

línêage *línêíj, *línny-ij, cf. lîne

línêar

lîner

lîneúp can be hyphenated or two words

lingerie BrE *lánzhery, AmE *lànjə-rèy

línk, cf. lýnx, Líncs

Línux

lîon animal = Lŷon person, cf. Lỳón France

líp-rêad

líquefy, cf. líquid, líquidate

liqueûr chocolate *licûre

líquor whisky = lícker lick

líquoríce BrE, lícoríce AmE *líckerish

*lírrick (cf. límerick) lýric

Lísbon Portugal *Lízbən = BrE Lísburn Ireland, rhymes with Brísbane

Liskeârd

líst column, sway = Líszt Franz

lísten *líssen

lístless *lístlíss

lîte: humorous or commercial spelling of lîght, unsuitable in other contexts

líterary

líttoral shore = líteral words - or can be littorāl; or be spelt with only one t, lítoral

líturgy

Liû Xiaobǒ *Lyû Shòu-båw, as it is pronounced by some broadcasters, though in English -bô is what comes naturally

líve verb

lîve adjective, cf. lîfe noun

líver organ

lîver bïrd

Líverpoôl, cf. poôl

Liverpúdlian *Líver-púddlian, cf. púddle

lîvelihoòd

lîvely

lívery

líves verb

lîves life plural of lîfe

Líz

Ljubljàna´ *Lyùblyàna

llàma animal = làma Buddhism

Llandudno -dídno; see following

Llanélli: Welsh names featuring, very often initially, the voiceless alveolar fricative, IPA [ɬ], written Ll-, ll-, are pronounced by many non-Welsh speakers with the substitute 'thl-', so: *Thlanéthly—though this does not apply to the very common Llŏyd *Lŏyd (nor to Llèyton, a variant of Lèyton)

Llŏyds bank = Llŏyd's insurance *Lŏydz

lôad heavy, fill = lôde rock

lôan lend = lône alone

lôath unwilling has unvoiced th; its variant spelling lôth is perhaps preferable, to avoid confusion with lôathe, which is often used incorrectly in its place

lôathe hate has voiced th, *lôadh

lôathsome voiced th, no middle 'e'

lóbbyist *lóbbiest

lóch Scottish ch, like Arabic 'kh', phonetic symbol χ; Irish ones are lóugh, same pronunciation; cf. lóck

lóckjaw one word

lódge

Lodz *Wùdj

lôgo

Lôís

lolicon: stressless in Japanese; no standard English pronunciation

lóllipop

lólly

Lòndon

lône only = lôan money

lónger long, hard g sounded separately

longëur bore, g not sounded separately

longévity -njé-

Lóngfellow

loô toilet = Loû person = lieû in = Loôe Cornwall

loòkalike noun one word

loôm noun, verb

loôphole one word, no hyphen

loôse insecure *lûce, cf. lose lost = loôs loo *lûze: writing loôse for lose is perhaps the second most common mistake in English after ít’s for íts

loôsely

loôser more loose *lûcer, cf. loser lose *lûzer

loôt spoils = lûte music

lôpe

loquâcious

lŏre folk BrE = låw rule

lorry transport = Laurie person, AmE å, BrE ó

Lós Ángeles, cf. Làs Vègas

lose lost *lûze = loôs toilets, cf. loôse insecure *lûce

loser lose *lûzer, cf. loôser more loose

loses lû-, cf. lósses

losing lose *loôzing

lóss

lôth disinclined: variant spelling of lôath (unvoiced th), and arguably preferable, as it is further from lôathe hate (voiced th)

Loû person = loô toilet = lieû in; Loû is the normal shortening of Leŵis, Leŵ Hôad being an exception

loûche -sh

lòud

lóugh = lóch

Loúghborough *Lúffbərə

Loûìs silent s = Loûìê, or (particularly in St. Loûís) = Leŵís

Louìse *Loô-wêez

Louisiána *Loû-êasy-Ánna, one n

lòur = lòwer frown, cf, lôwer

Loûrdes France = lûred lure

lòusy

lòut

lòve, cf. lôathe

lôw high = lô (archaic) look, cf. låw

lôwer low, cf. lòwer = lòur

Lûcas

lûcre *lûker

Lúddite

Lùfthansa *Lùft Hánsa

lúggage

lúllabŷ

lúmbar back = lúmber wood

lûrid; AmE also lürid

lúscious *lúshus

lúsh

lûte music = loôt spoils

Lútyens can sound like *Lútchins

lúvvie, a satirical British word for an actor, cf. lòve, lòvey-dòvey

Lúxemboürg

Luxemboürgian nationality

Lúxemboürgish language

Lúxŏr

Lvív *Ləvív

lychêe is a more common spelling than lî-, lît- and litchì

lŷe chemical = lîe down, untrue

lŷing from lîe

lýmph

lýnch = Lýnch person, cf. línchpin

lýnx animal = línks link = Líncs Lincolnshire

Lỳón France = Lêón person, cf. lîon animal

Lŷra constellation, cf. lìra currency

lŷre harp = lîar cheat

lýric

Lỳse Doucet = lêes

Lysístrata, Lysistràta

Lýttelton, cf. líttle

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